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B.C.G. VACCINATION.
In 1949 the Ministry of Health approved proposals by Local Health
Authorities of schemes for the protection by B.C.G. Vaccination of persons
known to have been in contact with tuberculous infection, and in my last
Annual Report I dealt with the arrangements whereby Dr. Ethel Emslie
has been undertaking the preliminary testing, the immunisation by B.C.G.
vaccine, and the subsequent testing and following-up of Leyton contacts
of tuberculosis under school leaving age.
In November, 1953, the Minister of Health signified his intention of
approving the extension of these arrangements so that authorities may offer
B.C.G. vaccination to older school children on the understanding that the
former scheme for the vaccination of contacts will continue, and that the
vaccination of school children should be carried out by designated Medical
Officers on the responsibility of the Medical Officer of Health and School
Medical Officer.
No child was to be vaccinated without the prior consent of the parent
in writing, and before the scheme was put into operation steps were taken to
acquaint parents of children, general medical practitioners and school
teachers of the arrangements.
Some idea of the nature and purpose of B.C.G. vaccination may be
gained by a perusal of the following letter distributed to parents :—
" It is known that a slight infection with the germ of tuberculosis does not
always cause the disease, and that in the majority of cases no signs or symptoms
are experienced. Following this infection however, a greater resistance to any
subsequent attack of the disease is developed. Many people have, without
knowing it, already had this infection and have so developed a natural resistance,
but some have not. It is possible to distinguish between those who have and
those who have not by a simple skin test. For those who have not had the infection
it is now possible to induce a similar kind of resistance by injection of the vaccine
known as B.C.G. This vaccine is not harmful to health at any age. The local
reactions which follow its use are seldom severe.
" The age group for both males and females which shows the highest
susceptibility to the contraction of tuberculosis is 15-25 years. It has therefore
been decided to offer B.C.G. vaccination to children in Leyton at the age of
13 with the object of giving some protection before they leave school. The
selection of children of this age has the further advantage that an opportunity
will be provided for observation of the children for a year before they leave school.
" The vaccination will be carried out by approved medical officers at the
Health Service Clinics for those children whose parents wish it to be done ; and,
since the vaccine has to be obtained from Copenhagen, it will take place about a
month after consent is given.